SAN CLEMENTE: Two men arrested at checkpoint

SAN CLEMENTE ---- Two men were arrested Sunday at the San
Clemente checkpoint on Interstate 5 on weapons and drug charges,
according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The men were stopped at the checkpoint to evaluate their
immigration status, said Ralph DeSio, a spokesman for the agency.
The driver, a U.S. citizen, was referred to a second inspection
after the passenger, a Mexican legally residing in the U.S., failed
to provide agents proper immigration documents, DeSio said.

Agents later discovered two handguns, loaded magazines and a box
of ammunition under the passenger seat. They also found a small
amount of cocaine in the driver's pocket, DeSio said.

A criminal check also revealed that the men had extensive
criminal histories with restrictions on possessing firearms. Both
men were turned over to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department,
who took the men into custody, DeSio said.